Neuropsychiatric Patient Care The Importance of Seeking Treatment for Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are both treatable conditions. Many people, however, do not seek the help and support they need for these issues. Even though their reasons for this will vary, it’s important to know that some individuals may only require short-term neuropsychiatric patient care, while others may benefit from longer-term acute care.

A Brief Overview of Common Anxiety Disorders

Recent figures show that there are approximately 7.7 million people suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Currently, there are believed to be 15 million people who are experiencing social anxiety disorder, while six million have some type of panic disorder.

It’s interesting to note that when someone has an anxiety disorder, they are more likely to visit a doctor and be admitted for a psychiatric disorder than those individuals that do not suffer with these types of disorders. Recent data shows that people with anxiety disorders are three to five times more likely to seek out a doctor’s care and six times more likely to be hospitalized.

In the United States, the most common type of mental illness is an anxiety disorder. Teenagers as well as adults suffer with these disorders, and experts estimate that this affects 10% of all teenagers and 40% of all adults. Within the 18 and older adult age bracket, however, data suggests that 40 million people are living with some type of anxiety disorder.

It has been demonstrated that both therapy and/or medication has been effective in treating anxiety disorders. Even though this is the case, approximately 66% of adults aren’t receiving treatment. Furthermore, only one out of every 5 teenagers with an anxiety disorder is receiving treatment.

A Brief Overview of Depression

While anxiety is more prevalent than depression, there has been an increase in depression diagnoses. Every year, there are 20% more patients that receive this diagnosis. Throughout the world, it is believed that there are 350 million people experiencing some type of depression. It’s been determined that 80% of the people with symptoms of clinical depression aren’t receiving treatment.

While 11% of adolescents may have a depressive disorder by the time they are 18 years old, 30% of college students have reported feeling depressed. When students experience depression, it often interferes with their ability to perform well in school and adversely affects other aspects of their lives as well.

Women tend to experience depression more often than men. Data shows that over the course of their lives, women are actually 70% more likely to have a depressive order. Some women, for example, may become depressed after giving birth. A 2013 postpartum depression study showed that 14% of the women experienced depression after giving birth for a period of four to six weeks.

The Importance of Seeking Neuropsychiatric Patient Care

Given the prevalence of anxiety disorders and depression, it’s essential to learn more about the variety of treatment modalities that are available. Once someone receives a neuropsychiatric evaluation, a team of neuropsychiatric patient care professionals will be able to explore the most effective course of action at that time. In addition to art, music, and recreational therapy, other treatment recommendations may include occupational and reminiscence therapy.

Diana Hutchinson

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